Karaganda is home to yet another landmark—something truly impressive and monumental. This is the legendary “Chaika” Hotel, an icon rich in history and now recognized as a historic and cultural monument. As one of Karaganda’s oldest buildings, Chaika traces its origins back to 1935, when the first building of this hotel complex was constructed under a modest name: “House for Travelers.” The hotel expanded in 1946, when an additional wing was added.
Many celebrated cosmonauts have stayed within its walls. In June 1963, after her return to Earth, Valentina Tereshkova spent a few hours at the hotel. In honor of this pioneering first woman in space, the hotel was renamed “Chaika,” her radio call sign. Since the 1970s, “Chaika” has also hosted Yuri Gagarin, Yegor Titov, and other Soviet cosmonauts—a legacy memorialized by plaques adorning the walls of the hotel’s original building.
Chaika’s architecture stands out with its unique design: a golden bowl atop the roof, high windows, grand ceilings, and expansive halls. The entire hotel exudes a striking, proud character steeped in unforgettable history. Chaika evokes an image from a Soviet postcard or an old family photograph, transporting you to a bygone era filled with significance and reverence.
The main wing of the Chaika Hotel complex is one of the city’s most recognizable buildings. In addition to guest rooms, it houses a restaurant, banquet hall, conference rooms, and a sauna. The latest addition to the hotel complex, its first building, offers guests rooms with views of the lushly landscaped grounds and green pathways.
The second wing is a cherished historic site and the pride of the complex. It was here that Yuri Gagarin, Yegor Titov, and, of course, Valentina Tereshkova spent their initial hours after returning from their space missions. This building’s walls are adorned with commemorative plaques, each a tribute to the historic events that have unfolded within.
Visit the Baikonur Cosmodrome
Explore historic launch pads
Tour the Space Museum
See iconic space artifacts
Witness rocket assembly facilities
Visit the Gagarin Start Pad